From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser

The A's have been linked to Manny Ramirez in reports by ESPNDesportes Los Angeles, and then in this morning's Chronicle, with A's owner Lew Wolff telling our John Shea, "I would have no problems with that on his talent and his ability. … Why wouldn't we (be interested) if a guy serves his term?"

Manny Ramirez? With the A's? This does sound pretty wild at first, but not so much when you think about it: He'd be essentially a no-risk option, if signed to a non-roster deal, and considering he has to serve a 50-game suspension before stepping onto any big-league field, you'd better believe it would be a non-roster deal.

So, essentially, a team would then get to see Ramirez, 39, perform all spring, gauge his ability and see his fitness level, and then spend 50 games allowing some younger players to get DH at-bats (along with Jonny Gomes, if said team turns out to be the A's). If one of the kids earns a fulltime roster spot, no sweat, Ramirez simply could be released.

If not, two months into the season, suddenly the team can test out a DH who has 555 career homers – eighth-most all-time among right-handed hitters.

Who is the A's current top home-run threat? Well, the man with the most career homers on the roster is Gomes, with 118, followed by Coco Crisp, with 75.

The A's don't exactly have an ideal cleanup hitter right now. With Ramirez – even though he comes with an enormous amount of baggage – they'd potentially have a threat in the middle of the order, and with very little upfront financial commitment.

And we all know that when everyone else zigs, Billy Beane likes to zag. Manny Ramirez sounds just crazy enough to be the kind of idea that appeals to him.

I'd fully expect that, were this to happen, it wouldn't be until just before spring training. The A's would want to do every bit of due diligence, considering Ramirez's busts for PEDs and his occasionally odd behavior. Keep this in mind: Dan Feinstein, who recently returned to the A's, was the Rays' director of baseball operations last year, and when Wolff says the A's got good reports on Ramirez from Tampa Bay people, you'd have to think Feinstein provided a thumbs up.

Despite his goofy persona, Ramirez always has been respected around the game for his tremendous work ethic, and if he has even a shred of his former power, it's still going to be more than just about anyone on Oakland's roster. Plus, he'd add some interest to what, let's face is, is a team with few recognizable names and with poor prospects in the AL West.

Don't rule this one out. If the A's tick off every box to their satisfaction, I believe Manny Ramirez could be their DH by late May.

I also hear that, even after signing Gomes this week, the A's still have some interest in Conor Jackson.